194 episodes

Driven women business owners and leaders passionately improve the lives of their families, employees, communities and the customers they serve. These female professionals join Amber Hurdle each week as she uses her experience working with international celebrities, Fortune 100 companies and small businesses to show women how to increase their self-awareness, build their confidence, improve their communication, and ultimately ground themselves in their personal power. Through strong company cultures, branding, marketing, networking, business systems and smart employee practices, women in business can and will change the world.

Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle Amber Hurdle

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 146 Ratings

Driven women business owners and leaders passionately improve the lives of their families, employees, communities and the customers they serve. These female professionals join Amber Hurdle each week as she uses her experience working with international celebrities, Fortune 100 companies and small businesses to show women how to increase their self-awareness, build their confidence, improve their communication, and ultimately ground themselves in their personal power. Through strong company cultures, branding, marketing, networking, business systems and smart employee practices, women in business can and will change the world.

    How Pure Glow is Transforming the Beauty Industry with Lauren Rampello Becotte

    How Pure Glow is Transforming the Beauty Industry with Lauren Rampello Becotte

    Today’s guest has a mission to redefine the industry standard surrounding sunless tanning and wants to provide a pure option for customers looking to unleash their inner glow and she wants YOU to never give up on your dreams!
    Laruen Becotte is the founder of Pure Glow, a tanning studio that is dedicated to providing the safest, most natural spray tan possible. Her initial approach focused on all of the things she did not love about conventional spray tans - “the questionable scent, unnatural tones, its drying nature, risky staining and transfer onto clothing, its typical 3-day life span, inconsistency of results.”

    Key Takeaways

    The importance of natural and organic ingredients

    How she self-funded her start up at the age of 26!

    The tactic Lauren uses to manage the complexities of life and business

    Ready to learn more, and protect yourself before your next spray tan session? Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube!

    About Lauren Becotte
    As the founder of Pure Glow, my goal is to transform an entire industry with the highest standards for sunless tanning services with non-toxic ingredients, a health focused experience and flawless results that last. I have spent a decade funding my own research and developing an organic and clean formula that naturally reacts with the skin’s melanin to mimic a natural tan. At Pure Glow, we're modernizing the sunless tanning experience for anyone who wants to routinely protect their skin and improve their overall appearance in minutes.

    Connect with Lauren 
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenrampello/
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/pureglowtanning/
    Website: www.pureglow.com

    Sponsored By
    Magic Mind contains a magical combination of 12 active ingredients scientifically designed to improve energy, focus, and mood while decreasing stress — all things that, combined, improve your productivity. It is safe and effective, utilizing the mood-boosting power of things like Turmeric, the long-lasting energy effects of Matcha green tea, as well as other ingredients. Unlike many energy drinks, Magic Mind’s benefits don’t come from excessive amounts of stimulating compounds such as caffeine and has no withdrawal symptoms should you decide to stop consuming it. As a neurodivergent baddie, Magic Mind is in Amber’s non-pharmaceutical toolkit for managing her ADD.
    Ready to try it for yourself?
    Head on over to https://www.magicmind.com/bombshell
    Don’t forget to use the code BOMBSHELL20 for 20% off a one-time purchase or 56% when you sign up for a subscription!

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 34 min
    Get Simple in Your Messaging with Ben Guttmann

    Get Simple in Your Messaging with Ben Guttmann

    Y’all know I’m constantly teaching that when it comes to branding, you should focus on defining and positioning your value, whether as an individual, a business, an employer, or all of the above. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled to interview someone who also honors the sublime simplicity of branding.
    In fact, today’s brilliant guest, author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them, Ben Guttman, says, “Simple ideas stick. Simple messages win.”
    Glory, glory! 
    Let’s break that down even further in this interview!
    Key Takeaways from Ben Guttman
    *Why you need to tweak and refine your brand over time routinely
    *Why, as receivers, we want simplicity, but as senders, we are predisposed to complicate things, so how do we bridge that gap?
    *Ben’s 5 design principles to simplify your messaging: Beneficial, Focused, Salient, Empathetic, Minimal
    *Why to focus on optimization for the least amount of friction

    Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube!

    Links & Mentioned Resources
    Ben’s FREE Weekly Newsletter
    Ben’s Book, Simply Put
    Alexandra Watkins Book, How to Create Brand Names That Stick

    About Ben Guttmann
    Ben Guttmann is a marketing and communications expert and author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them. Ben is former co-founder and partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. Currently, Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College and consults with a range of clients.

    Connect with Ben
    Website: www.benguttmann.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/benguttmann/

    Sponsored By Magic Mind

    Magic Mind contains a magical combination of 12 active ingredients scientifically designed to improve energy, focus, and mood while decreasing stress — all things that, combined, improve your productivity. It is safe and effective, utilizing the mood-boosting power of things like Turmeric, the long-lasting energy effects of Matcha green tea, as well as other ingredients. Unlike many energy drinks, Magic Mind’s benefits don’t come from excessive amounts of stimulating compounds such as caffeine and has no withdrawal symptoms should you decide to stop consuming it. As a neurodivergent baddie, Magic Mind is in Amber’s non-pharmaceutical toolkit for managing her ADD.

    Ready to try it for yourself?

    Head on over to https://www.magicmind.com/bombshell

    Don’t forget to use the code BOMBSHELL20 for 20% off a one-time purchase or 56% when you sign up for a subscription!


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 33 min
    Navigating the Storm: Mastering Fundraising in a Downturn Market with Jeff Iloulian

    Navigating the Storm: Mastering Fundraising in a Downturn Market with Jeff Iloulian

    What would it look like if you had a business that thrived because you were both profitable and positioned to offer the best to your customers? 
    Would you be willing to bootstrap until you not only found a product market fit, but enough success to secure external funding? 
    Jeff Iloulian, founder and CEO at HostGPO, further walks us on his journey in this episode as we dive into how to raise capital for your business and what to look out for along the way. Jeff’s journey began as a vacation rental host whose self-proclaimed failures led him to create HostGPO, a group purchasing organization that supplies hosts with high-end brands at an affordable rate. 
    Jeff remained resilient through the failures, knowing he had a great business model in HostGPO. He began to learn about fundraising from anyone and everyone he could, eventually raising enough capital to make his idea a reality. Yet, despite his success, Jeff humbly and thoughtfully explains the various types of funding you should be aware of and the steps he took along the way to get there to show up for Bombshells who want to be in the know. 

    Key Takeaways


    How a membership (or subscription) structure in your business can drive revenue and help attract investors 

    What some of the terminology means, like the difference between venture capital and private equity

    Why it is essential when raising capital to ensure you have a solid plan for the funds you raise

    The importance of reiteration (and super amazing customers dedicated to going on the journey with you as you do)

    And so much more!


    On the one hand, my closest girlfriends and I can chat about investments, business models, and valuations like it was the weather. However, I have found that, by and large, this is an intimidating topic for many women in business. And guess what? We didn’t get the same fair shake at education, mentors, and resources. If you don’t believe me just Google the stats around it. 
    So I encourage you to do what I did – listen to generous teachers like Jeff on this podcast and others, read books and articles to learn the lingo, look for opportunities to learn on the job, ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to look stupid to gain the knowledge you need to figure it out. 
    So shout out to Jeff for so transparently walking us through a true case study so we can all be empowered with understanding.
    Are you ready to learn about the various opportunities you can get the resources to truly grow your business? If so, this is a can’t miss episode! Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube!

    Links & Mentioned Resources

    3 Free Months of HostGPO for the Bombshell Business Audience
    The Old Girls Club
    About Jeff Iloulian
    Jeff has been in the vacation rental industry for nearly a decade. He has set up, managed, and/or operated over 250+ vacation rental properties–from cozy cabins in the woods to luxury mansions in Beverly Hills. 
    Additionally, Jeff has successfully grown several businesses and is passionate about interdisciplinary problem-solving in emerging industries. He firmly believes that the further you push outside of your comfort zone, the larger that zone becomes. 

    With a background in Economics and Philosophy from Columbia University and a JD from UCLA School of Law, Jeff spent three years as a lawyer practicing Business Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Cybersecurity before becoming an entrepreneur. 

    In his free time, Jeff enjoys playing music, eating tacos, and, of course, traveling.

    Connect with Jeff
    Website: www.hostgpo.com
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/hostgpo
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/hostgpo
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/hostgpo
    Email: info@hostgpo.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 57 min
    Your Network is your Net Worth with Shannen Stewart

    Your Network is your Net Worth with Shannen Stewart

    We’ve all been there. Awkwardly standing around at an event trying to decide who to talk to first and what the heck to discuss. The weather? The latest sports story? Travis and Taylor? But (hopefully), we finally break the ice, get to know some new contacts, and feel like we really rocked this networking thing! What happens next? Maybe we connect on LinkedIn and send a short, “It was great to meet you,” but usually not much else. 
    You see, networking is more than just the part where you find people to grow your network, it is more about the truly hard part - maintaining it.
    Today’s guest is here to help! Shannen Stewart is the Founder of Heels & Handshakes, an organization that fosters community through in-person events and digital experiences for entrepreneurs, women in business and their allies.
    Key Takeaways

    Learn about the missing piece in business that led Shannen to create Heels & Handshakes.

    She explains, “networking is not checking a box, it is checking a pulse” - what you need to know once you make a professional connection and how to maintain that relationship.

    Shannen’s go-to CRM to utilize for following up with your contacts by providing value, not noise.

    The best tactics to optimize your time at an event.


    Links & Mentioned Resources
    COVVE: Shannen’s go to CRM app for taking notes on, and setting reminders to check in with her network.
    About Shannen Stewart
    Shannen created Heels & Handshakes in 2013 after returning to her hometown of Nashville and missing the community of women within the hospitality industry. She noticed the lack of opportunities to network. Shannen wanted to ensure that the women who made up the Greater Nashville workforce would all have positive and collaborative interactions to enrich their lives professionally and personally. What started as a ten- person meeting for cocktails and conversations has evolved to over 3,000 women and men in the Middle Tennessee community.
    Since founding the organization, she has curated over 240 events for the Heels & Handshakes members. Shannen's event brand partnerships and collaborations include Kendra Scott, TEDx, Ballet Ball, Tiff's Treats, and the Nashville Young Leaders Council to execute thoughtful activations for the Heels & Handshakes community.
    Her work in hospitality has received accolades and awards, including the 2021 Nashville Lifestyles Women in Business Recipient, The 2019 Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce NELA Awards Hospitality & Tourism Recipient, the 2019 Meeting Professionals International Tennessee Chapter Supplier of the Year and the 100 Leading Persons in Personal Services, Food and Hospitality in 2018. Shannen volunteers for Nashville-based organizations Thistle Farms and the YWCA in her spare time while serving on the TEDxNashville Committee.
    Connect with Shannen
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannen-stewart/
    Instagram: /www.instagram.com/heelsandhandshakes
    Website: www.heelsandhandshakes.com
    Email: membership@heelsandhandshakes.com

    Sponsored By
    Magic Mind contains a magical combination of 12 active ingredients scientifically designed to improve energy, focus, and mood while decreasing stress — all things that, combined, improve your productivity. It is safe and effective, utilizing the mood-boosting power of things like Turmeric, the long-lasting energy effects of Matcha green tea, as well as other ingredients. Unlike many energy drinks, Magic Mind’s benefits don’t come from excessive amounts of stimulating compounds such as caffeine and has no withdrawal symptoms should you decide to stop consuming it. As a neurodivergent baddie, Magic Mind is in Amber’s non-pharmaceutical toolkit for managing her ADD.
    Ready to try it for yourself?
    Head on over to https://www.magicmind.com/bombshell
    Don’t forget to use the code BOMBSHELL20 for 20% off a one-time purchase or 56% when you sign up for a subscription!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 28 min
    Managing Workplace Conflict with Carol Bowser

    Managing Workplace Conflict with Carol Bowser

    Workplace conflict is a reality for every organization, and Carol Bowser, is unquestionably an expert on the subject. As I sat down to recap her episode, I ended up with pages of great nuggets of helpful and actionable information. Carol is a former practicing attorney who took the skills she learned in employment law and her training in mediation to create a company that trains others to recognize, manage and resolve workplace conflict. Because wherever there are people working together, there is inevitably conflict. Grab your notepad and get ready to learn!

    Together we cover: 
    😡 How conflicts and tension arise from the gap between expectations and reality
    😡 How de-escalation tactics often end up escalating situations
    😡 The importance of setting your brand standards in order to manage expectations
    😡 Reviewing her three-part framework for difficult conversations: Know, Do, Feel
    😡 How to evaluate what your organization’s shared definition of collaboration in practice
    😡 And more!
    Ready to hear Carol expand upon each of these points and start making a real impact in your business? You should be! Look for episode 191 in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube!

    About Carol Bowser
    Carol Bowser, J.D. is a workplace conflict expert. After practicing Employment Law for several years, Carol founded Conflict Management Strategies when she realized a lawsuit couldn’t deliver the level of resolution and satisfaction that is gained when people are actively involved in creating solutions to their workplace conflict.
    Carol’s clients come from a wide range of employers because conflict is universal across all industries and types of organizations. Where there are people, there is conflict. The key is to help people recognize and address conflict before it damages working relationships and creates organizational drag. In her over 20 years of experience, she has discovered some universal themes about workplace conflict and loves to share how people at all levels can strengthen their conflict resolution muscles.
    Connect with Carol
    Website: https://conflictmanagementstrategies.com/
    LinkedIn :www.linkedin.com/in/carol-bowser-2a65691/
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/carol.bowser
    X f/k/a Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolNBowser/
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057266327543
    Consultations: https://conflictmanagementstrategies.com/book-a-consult/
    Email: cb@managingconflict.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 55 min
    People Problems Solved with Adrienne Roth, Employer Brand Central’s Director of Training

    People Problems Solved with Adrienne Roth, Employer Brand Central’s Director of Training

    Talent management in today’s world is increasingly challenging with limited talent pools, conflicts in opinions on remote versus in-person work environments, and so much more. Now, more than ever, the human resources function is critical to the operational success of any organization. 
    That’s why I am so happy to interview Adrienne Roth, a highly seasoned human resources professional and our Director of Training for Employer Brand Central. Together, we look at the state of human resources today while forecasting the future of talent management based on real data and industry trends.
    In this episode, we discuss:

    Why HR is the core of every organization

    The vast changes emerging in the labor market

    How the right HR team acts as a bridge between the “company side” and the “people side,” to increase employee satisfaction and productivity

    The importance of being strategic in HR rather than reactive to the endless daily to-dos that bog down HR professionals 

    How to show that you genuinely care about your employees so they have a sense of belonging


    Ready to learn more from Adrienne’s wisdom on increasing employee engagement and creating high-performing teams? Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube!

    About Adrienne Roth
    Adrienne Roth, MBA, SHRM-SCP is the Director of Training for Employer Brand Central, boasting a rich career in Human Resources and an MBA that provides a lens focused on operations and bottom-line results. As a Senior Certified Professional through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Adrienne is the immediate past president of New Orleans SHRM and the professional development director for the state Louisiana SHRM organization.
    Her career highlights include:

    Strategically redesigning a corporate training program that increased training availability by 200%.

    Designing and implementing a robust corporate culture program for a 30-million-dollar company.

    Building an HR department from the ground up for a food and beverage manufacturing company.

    Adrienne is a mother of two and volunteers with the Boys Scouts of America to support their leadership development. She has served as a National Officer for the Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity and is a proud member of The Sirens of New Orleans – a dancing, philanthropic mermaid troupe.
    As a graduate of our flagship leadership program, Velvet Machete Leadership Academy (VMLA), Adrienne now manages and leads Employer Brand Central’s various training opportunities and helps develop our customers’ custom training programs.
    Adrienne stands at the intersection of experience, expertise, and enthusiasm, which equips her to empower leaders worldwide through our training offerings!

    Connect with Adrienne
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennemroth/
    Email: Adrienne@employerbrandcentral.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
146 Ratings

146 Ratings

Niikki Burla ,

Subscribe people! 😊

This show hits the podcast trifecta…great host, great content, and great guests! Do yourself a favor and subscribe today! - Nicole Kalil

M A Mcconnell ,

What a bombshell

Amber Hurdle is SUCH a powerhouse. Hearing her story, and her ongoing journey, as well as that of all the incredible guests she brings on, is such a powerful and empowering exercise. Thank you, Amber, for all the good you put out into the world!

Dany1224 ,

Amazing 😍

Love your message, listened to you first on the Vacation Woman’s Summit and then again on Spark your Mindset with Ali, love you ladies 💗

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